MPS looks to become IB school

Published 7:00 pm, Monday, January 9, 2006

Kathleen Ellison, director of curriculum/instruction and staff development, said the district plans to have its two high schools, Midland and H.H. Dow High, become International Baccalaureate schools by 2007-2008 school year.

Midland Public Schools is hoping to become a little more international.

Kathleen Ellison, director of curriculum/instruction and staff development, said the district plans to have its two high schools, Midland and H.H. Dow High, become International Baccalaureate schools by 2007-2008 school year.

What is an IB school? One that teaches courses and trains students to think internationally. Students can chose to graduate with an IB certificate or diploma, or they can take courses to enhance their studies.

There are only two to three IB schools in Michigan. IB students can transfer to other IB schools worldwide. For example, if a parent is transferred to Switzerland, the student can go to an IB school there.

"It will lift MPS to even higher level of excellence," Ellison said.

IB schools also can draw students from other districts, in part because more and more colleges and universities are looking for students who have been internationally educated.

According to the IB website, www.ibo.org, the diploma program for students ages 16-19 is a two-year course of study that prepares students for the university level. Students study languages, social science, experimental science, mathematics, and, normally, an arts subject. The subjects are typically approached from an international perspective. The IB diploma is accepted by universities worldwide, including all of North America, western Europe and Australia.

The startup cost for becoming an IB school is about $500,000. MPS costs will be paid for by The Dow Chemical Co., which has committed to financially support the district's IB work for five years.

More information will be given at the 7 p.m. Jan. 23 MPS board meeting. IB representatives from Atlanta will be there to talk about the program.

Distinguished Service Awards also were announced at Monday's MPS meeting. The public gives its input about which staff have performed well. MPS employees are nominated then chosen by a committee of teachers, support staff and administration. The 2005 Distinguished Service Awards winners are: